History

The Indiana Association of Hostage-Crisis Negotiators, Inc. began, in part, as a vision of now-retired FBI Agent David Steele. Dave Steele’s idea was to create an organization of law enforcement-related negotiators who would work together to enhance the overall professionalism of this specialty through training and education. The plan was to offer opportunities to bring negotiators together through networking and training with one goal being to get everyone “on the same page”.

Early in 1999 this concept was discussed at FBI-sponsored training in Muncie, IN. It was at this training that Dave brought up the idea and a brief meeting was held after the negotiator training was completed. Later that year at the Indiana State Police Post in Lafayette, representatives from some of the larger and more active negotiator units from around the state met, subsequently deciding to charter an Association dedicated to the training and education of its members.

Permanent Board of Director positions were created for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, the Indiana Dept. of Corrections, the Indianapolis Police Dept. and the Marion County Sheriff’s Dept.; the latter two being merged in 2007 and becoming the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept. Ultimately in late 1999, the Association was incorporated and later granted tax exempt status by the IRS under the 501 (c) 3 code as a charitable, education-focused Association.

The IAHCN’s most noticeable activity is its annual training conference. The first conference was held in Indianapolis, IN at the Marriott Hotel on the east side and to this date has been held in Indy each year as it is centrally located. The 9th annual conference is upcoming September 10-12, 2008 again in Indy at the Holiday Inn North at the Pyramids.

The history of your IAHCN has been influenced by many people from around the state over the last ten years. Obviously, a more thorough historical account is available and better credit could be given to the many people who were not included in this account. Your Board of Directors would encourage you to find out more and improve your skills by attending the upcoming conference. There you can learn first hand what so many of you have been doing, how our founding and other members have influenced the Association, and finally, but most importantly, participating and learning at a conference second to none you will ever attend.